The Ontario Provincial Police made history for themselves earlier today after landing their largest ever drug bust hauling in absurd 1,062 kilograms (2,341 pounds) of pure cocaine with a street value of an equally absurd $250m CAD, or about $200 million USD. The operation – nicknamed Project HOPE – intercepted the shipment from Argentina via shipping containers destined for Montreal. Police said that three people were involved in such a massive scale operation all of whom were arrested in May and July.
Project HOPE first began in March 2017 and led to the discovery of various cocaine caches around Ontario and at the Port of Montreal. OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum also said that the drug’s origins had “definite connections to Mexico and the Mexican cartel.”
All three defendants have been charged with: importation of controlled substance (cocaine), possession of controlled substance (cocaine with intent to traffic) and driving while disqualified. Two of the three defendants have been released on bail while one is set to appear in court on August 30th.
H/T: Global News